Top tips for bus travel in the heat

Use the TC Journey Planner on the home page of our website to plan your journey to identify the air conditioned buses so you’re able to ride in comfort in the heat. Seek shade when outdoors and take water with you on your journey.

Bike rails are installed at over 15 bus stop locations across Canberra, primarily on Rapid routes. Bike rails can be used without reservation, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Bring your own lock to secure bikes at these open facilities.

Over 90% of Transport Canberra buses are equipped with bike racks. Each bike rack can hold two bikes (two-wheels, single-seat) and each bike can be loaded or unloaded without affecting the other. The racks work by:

using spring-loaded clamps to firmly hold bikes in place

ensuring bikes do not touch each other or the bus, assuring safe, secure transport.

Bike racks on buses cannot be reserved and are available on a first come, first served basis. No lock is required when using the on-bus bike rack.

if the bike rack is full, you’ll have to wait for the next Blue Rapid or Red Rapid service – please don’t jump the queue if others are already waiting

bike rack use is on a first come, first served basis

there is a maximum of two bikes per rack

bike rack use is free, but the bike rider must pay the required bus fare

for safety reasons, the bus driver is not permitted to leave the driver’s cab to assist with the loading or unloading of a bicycle

bicycles must not be locked to the rack

tandem bicycles, tricycles, children's bikes and bikes with petrol motors are not permitted

for safety reasons, bicycles with baskets, panniers, flags, baby seats or any other large object that may obscure the driver's vision or bus lights are not permitted on the bike racks (these items may be removed and carried onto the bus)

the bus driver or a transport officer has the final decision in relation to the carriage of bicycles on bike racks

bike riders using bike racks do so at their own risk – Transport Canberra accepts no responsibility for bikes that are damaged, lost or stolen or for injury to people through loading or unloading a bike onto the rack

Please report any damage or faulty operation of the rack immediately to the bus driver.

it is designed to be carried on public transport (improvised or non-standard bikes may not be carried onto a bus)

it is secured in the folded position prior to boarding the bus (drivers won’t wait for you to fold your bike)

it’s stored in the luggage rack or on the floor of the bus and does not pose a danger or inconvenience to passengers

it doesn’t obstruct an aisle doorway or exit

you take full responsibility – Transport Canberra is not liable for any damage, wear and tear, loss or stolen bikes.

Drivers may refuse carriage of a fold-up bike if they deem it to be an inconvenience or danger to someone else, and for safety reasons the bus driver is not able to assist with the carriage, loading or removal of a bike on or off the bus.